Building-block.



PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

. FRANKLIN FILED FEB.15|19 eral ' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LESTER R. FRANKLIN,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BUILDING-BLOCK.

ivo. s663551.

faces grooved longitudinally,

the grooves converglng towards the middle of the the two courses severally Preferably no mortar or other cementing material will be used, between the contacting edges of the blocks of the sevcourses, since the blocks themselves and the bond ing mortar or cenien ting material will practicallymake a solid wall. Preferably also, the edges of the blocks Preferably also, the central holes in the blocks will be of spiral formation, in order to increase the bonding effect.

In the accompanying drawings, vention, in the several figures of iimilarly designated, Figure l is )locks in two courses. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section f the parts shown in Fig. l1, with the mortar or other rementingmaterial in part in position. Fig. 3 is a top lan view of one ofthe blocks. Fig. 4 is a vertical ross-section of one of the blocks. Fig. 5 is a horizonil cross-section of one of the blocks. l The block l may be of any suitable shape and 'di` tensions and of any suitable material.. Each end of` le block is provided with a combined tongue and illustrating the inwhich like parts rare Specification o f Letters Patent. Application filed February 15,1907.

an elevation of three Patented Sept. 17, 1907.' Serial No. 357,510.

l groove member, one

tongue portion having in it`a groove 3,

groove 4 having a tongue 5, extending vertically and the ends, and these two block will match accurately of theadjacent block, come into close contact with of the adjacent block. The

grooves 8 and 9 when the blocks are placed together.

When a series ofblocks are arranged in. courses with the blocks of the upper course arranged to break joints with the blocks ofthe lower course, the holes 10 in the blocks of the upper co1 irse are arranged over the meeting edges of the blocks bond the blocks.

In order to avoid repetition, it will be understood that in using the term mortar herein, I mean to include any suitable cementing material.

It will be understod bonded interidrly in the 2. A building block, having complementary combined tongues und grooves ut: its opposite. ends, udnpted to interlock with similar blocks when laid end-for-cnd, and grooved longitudinali;l ut, tbe top und bottom and provided with n central spirully grooved holo toward which the top undbot tom grooves to be laid in courses with the blocks of each successive course breaking joints with thc blocks of the next lower course und with the central holes in the blocks of cach course coming over the meeting edges ot the blocks ot the nextV lower course and thereby forming channels through and into which binding material muy be introduced to bind the blocks in courses,

Zi. wail constructed of building blocks, euch block having complementary tongues und grooves nt its opposite ends to interlock when laid end-tor-end, and grooved ionl'itudinaliy at the top und bottom, and provided kwith a centrul hole townrd which the top and bottom grooves converge, said blot-.lts laid in courses with the blocks of euch sucessive course breaking joints with the blocks of the next lower course. so that the central holes in the blocks ot' euch course come over the meeting edges of the blocks oi' the next. lower course, whereby channels are. formed between the courses and through the blocks, adapted to convey mortar through the holes in the blocks of the upper course to bind the blocks und courses below.

In testimony whereof i have hereunto set my hund this 13th day of l-`ebruary A. D. 1907.

contacting edges of the blocks oi the several courses. Settling of the wall, thoreiore, is practic'lly eliminated.

The use of the combined ton'gue and groove vertical ]o1nts serves to increase the effectiveness of the longitudlnai union o the several adjacent blocks, and also greatly facilitates the alining oi the blocks in courses.

By the use of the grooves in the blocks, the blocks can be laid in a bed of mortar without the use of a trowel, and thereby there is a great saving of labor and time in laying the blocks and there is also a saving in the expense of cleaning oi'i the usual splashes of mortar from the finished wall. i

The blocks, if made oi composition, may be produced in suitable molds and with great accuracy and very economically.

What i claim isz- 1. A building block, having complementary tongues und grooves at its opposite ends, adapted to interlock with similar blocks when luid end-t'or-end, und grooved longitudinally at the top and bottom and provided with a central hole, toward which the top and bottom grooves converge, such blocks adapted to be luid in courses with the blocks of each successive course breaking joints with the blocks of the next lower course and with thel central holes in the blocks of euch course coming over the meeting edges of the, blocks of the next lower course und thereby forming channels through and into which binding material may be introduced to bind the blocks in courses. l

LESTER R. FRANKLIN.

converge, such blocks adapted- 

